Pubs are taking many forms these days. ‘Pop-ups’ run by micro breweries are popping up all over the place, and although pubs are closing at the rate of four a week the sale of ‘craft’ beer is on the increase. This can only be a good thing says Amanda Wragg

Nothing stays the same as my wise old dad would say.
The Victorian, Halifax is such a place. Once an Italian restaurant, it’s a handsome building on the end of Powell Street opposite Somerset House. Owned by Simon and Pang Stather who ran the legendary Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge, it’s a very agreeable space with scrubbed oak floors, bare brick walls, deep red leather sofas and wing chairs. They’ve been ‘bequeathed’ a library’s worth of books, so get comfortable with a novel and pint or two.
There’s an impressive choice of over 200 bottled beers from all over the world plus eight hand pulls and around 12 keg lines. The real ales are rotated sometimes daily but to give you an idea, the offer this week included Junga from Torrside in Derbyshire, Teleporter from the Summer Wine Brewing Company and the light and floral Bread & Butter from Vocation Brewery in Cragg Vale.
There’s no food on offer – but watch this space, as Pang is planning a Thai menu. There’s a nice sense of community too, with live music on Wednesdays and Sundays, ‘Spoken Word’ in the cosy room upstairs and mini-beer festivals from time to time
The Victorian Craft Beer Café, 18-22 Powell Street, Halifax HX1 1LN. Open Saturday to Friday, 11am to 11pm; Sunday, 12 to 10pm.

About The Author

Mandy Wragg is a freelance food journalist, writing and inspecting for the Yorkshire Post, Alastair Sawday, the Morning Advertiser, the AA, Cool Places and David Hancock's Inn Places. She co-writes www.squidbeak.co.uk, an independent guide to eating, drinking and staying in Yorkshire.

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